How to Prune an Abutilon Pictum

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Abutilon pictum is commonly known as flowering maple for the abundance of bell-shaped flowers that resemble Japanese maple flowers. Suitable for planting in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 and 9, this member of the Mallow family grows vigorously in a sunny location. Unrestrained, the bush reaches up to 12 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter. Annual pruning protects its health and controls the size.

1

Wash your pruning shears with a 10 percent bleach solution made with 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Rinse and dry them.

2

Prune your flowering maple in the spring. Remove dead or diseased foliage, cutting just above a healthy leaf joint. Look for dark, discolored or cracked bark. Healthy tissue shows no dark areas within the cut. If dark tissue is present, cut again further up the branch. Clean the pruning shears between cuts to avoid spreading disease.

3

Remove branches that touch the ground at the base of the branch. Trim long branches to produce a pleasing shape. Reach back into the shrub and cut branches at varying lengths, increasing air circulation.

4

Pinch back new shoots that grow long and leggy during the growing season. Flowering maple's flowers are produced on new growth, so remove only those shoots that grow outside the bounds of the bush, making it untidy. Pinch the shoots away with your fingertips.

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About the Author

Diane Watkins has been writing since 1984, with experience in newspaper, newsletter and Web content. She writes two electronic newsletters and has a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Clemson University. She has taken graduate courses in biochemistry and education.